The Journal of Corporal Militis, 1st Platoon, Echo Company, 75th Terra Storm Troopers W11357

7 is not a very large number. I had never thought in single digits since joining my home planet's version of the Cadian White Shields, the Steel Hammers. Anything that had to do with numbers in the Guard had a lot of zeroes at the end of it. 7 was such a small number before.

Not right now, though. It had been only about, well, I'd say three hours since we had regrouped with the rest of the regiment. Actually, that was how long ago they had caught up with us; I'm not too modest to state. In that time, my men, minus poor Debray had managed to scrounge up some hot chow. I, however, was called into a briefing by our company commander, a meeting usually reserved for the platoon leaders.

I crept into the hastily assembled TOC, stepping respectfully out of the way as several sergeants moved about the tent. I humbly took my place behind the junior officer cadre until Captain Marks stepped into the room, looking around for a moment. His gaze met mine and a determined look played into his face.

"Militis, move up to the front." The commander ordered. "This plan involves you and your lot more than anyone else."

"Sir!" I scooted forward, apologizing to one of the sergeants after bumping into him. I stepped on a lieutenant's foot, but Captain Marks began speaking before I could apologize. Not that I was overly bothered with offending a lieutenant. He had never been through Basic Training, instead going straight through the Officer Candidate Scholum on Terra. An accomplishment to be sure, but I think everyone else in the room, save one of the other lieutenants was much more experienced than him.

"Very good. Now then, first, good job today lads. The blood of over one hundred Chaos scumbags wets the ground here, and only six brothers to mourn from the entire regiment." The captain paused as the room gave a quiet clap against their chests, in respect to the fallen. "Militis, extra congratulations are to you and your squad. You really pulled off the big kill."

"To be honest, sir, it was a land-nav mistake." I stated. "We were off on our coordinates by one digit and ended up right in there laps." The tent broke into a light chuckle and I couldn't help but smirk. Captain Marks smiled and waved a hand for the room to be silent now.

"A charming tail, Corporal. Now then, there is no mistaking it, thanks to the Corporal's 'blunder' we are farther ahead of schedule then we imagined ourselves being only two days into the assault. With the help of one of the recon regiments we have ascertained that there are seven Chaos ass-wipes of sizeable importance located here, here, here and here." The captain pointed to the locations of the heretic leaders on a holomap, with several red blips which mapped out enemy defense emplacements. "We don't know which building holds whom, but we do know that they are all in this area. Our company has been tasked with taking the northeastern building, an old mineral refining plant. Any miners here?" A few hands went up and Captain Marks nodded. "I'll be counting on your advice while we're planning the insertion. Typical layouts and the like. So, any questions?"

I raised my hand quickly, staring hard at the holomap. "Sir, those defenses posted around the buildings, just there. What exactly can we expect?"

"Ah, aerial pictographs show, mostly heretics pocketed behind cover. Maybe a few heavy guns and some light armor. Most of their heavy armor was in their counter push, which ended up getting caught in the explosion of the reactors. The only sizeable threat they now have is a corrupted Warhound, which we have lost track of."

"You said what now, sir?" Sergeant Dane asked. "I'm sorry, it sounded like you said those shiprats upstairs lost sight of a damned Titan."

"Correct, Sergeant, the Navy frecked us real bad today. The Tactical Officers of the command staff have assured us that if the Titan is still in fighting shape, it will be moving south, towards our armor elements. They'll be throwing everything they've got at those two Baneblades moving up their sorry asses." I let out a sigh of relief hearing that. To have to fight a Titan, even the smallest one the Chaos could possibly throw at us, was a daunting task. That would be like fist fighting naked against a Terminator with Lightening Claws. "Well, everyone except for my miners, your released for now. Meet back here in two hours so that I may brief you on the course of action to be taken against the refinery."

I walked out of the briefing room and wondered how the frecking hell that briefing involved me at all, other than for Captain Marks to congratulate me and have me extend that to the squad. Maybe the full extent of the plan, and our involvement would reveal itself when we went back for the rest of the briefing.

Corporal Preliat Militis

3rd Squad, 1st Platoon

Echo Company, 75th Terra Storm Troopers

We are the men of Terra's Own, you've grown to know and fear.

We take our silver daggers and we cut you, ear from ear.

Our hellguns bark and las-guns burn and cut down the hated foe.

We are the men of Terra's own and defeat we shall not know!